Q 1: If a person misses the first two Rak`ahs (units of prayer) during the Maghrib (Sunset), `Isha' (Night) Prayers or the two Rak`ahs of Fajr (Dawn) Prayer, should he complete these Rak`ahs while reciting in a loud voice?

A: If a person misses the first two Rak`ahs (units of prayer) during the Maghrib (Sunset), or `Isha' (Night) Prayers, the Rak`ahs which he prays with the Imam are considered the first part of his Salah. This is the most appropriate view held by scholars. Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, When you hear the Iqamah (call to start the Prayer), proceed to offer the prayer with calmness and solemnity and do not make haste. And pray whatever you are able to pray and complete whatever you have missed. Narrated by the Group of Compilers of Hadith (Al-Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud, Al-Tirmidhy, Al-Nasa'y, and Ibn Majah) except for Al-Tirmidhy. Latecomers have to complete the Rak`ahs they missed after (Part No. 6; Page No. 406) the Imam makes Taslim (salutation of peace ending the Prayer). The Rak`ahs which they pray with the Imam are considered to be the first part of their Salah while the last part of it include the remaining Rak`ahs which they have to complete after the Imam finishes the Salah.As for the last two Rak`ahs missed in `Isha', they should recite only Al-Fatihah in a low voice after the Imam makes Taslim. If they missed one Rak`ah in the Fajr Prayer, they will have to recite Al-Fatihah and a Surah aloud because Fajr is a Jahri Salah (Prayer recited out loud). This can not be said to disagree with the Hadith narrated by Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, When the words of Iqamah are pronounced, none of you should run to it (to join the prayer) but walk with tranquility and dignity, and pray what you are in time for and complete what has gone before (what the Imam has completed). The Arabic word 'qada' means 'completeness'. So when you have accomplished your Manâsik, remember Allâh as you remember your forefathers or with a far more remembrance. Allah (Exalted be He) also says, Then when the (Jumu‘ah) Salât (prayer) is ended, you may disperse through the land (Part No. 6; Page No. 407) The word 'qada' (completeness) stated in the above two Ayahs is close in meaning to the one mentioned in the Hadith. 'Qada' can not be understood here in the sense of Fiqh (jurisprudence) as it is a modern terminology inapplicable to the texts of Shari`ah (Islamic Law).